Starr King Lake

Starr King Lake sits at roughly 7,910 feet in the granite backcountry southeast of Half Dome, about 2.5 miles away as the crow flies. There's no maintained trail to the lake itself — reaching it means leaving the established path network near Glacier Point Road and navigating cross-country through forest and open granite toward Starr King Meadow, a trip suited to experienced backpackers comfortable with a map and compass or GPS.

Getting there

Most parties approach from pack trails off Glacier Point Road, with the Mono Meadow Trailhead serving as a common starting point. From there, the route drops into the Illilouette Creek drainage before cutting cross-country toward the Starr King basin. Expect a stream crossing or two, sustained off-trail routefinding, and long stretches without seeing another hiker.

What to know before you go

• This is off-trail wilderness travel, not a signed hike — bring a topographic map and the navigation skills to use it.
• Overnight camping anywhere in this area requires a Yosemite wilderness permit, same as the rest of the park's backcountry.
• Snow can linger into early summer at this elevation, so check current conditions before committing to the route.